The first thing I always say about Martin Steene and his merry band of Danish Power Metallers, Iron Fire, is that they are consistent, and consistently good at that. Metalmorphosized is the band's sixth full-length and the boys have stayed true to the Power Metal plan they laid out on their debut, Thunderstorm, back in 2000. Big, thick guitars, plenty of double kicks, supporting keyboards that never take center stage and, of course, Steene's snarling, sneering, almost punk, vocals grace Metalmorphosized.

I must admit, Metalmorphosized didn't blow me away right out of the blocks. The first few tracks are mid-paced and I much prefer Iron Fire at their double-kick-fastest tempos. The bland choruses on many of those opening songs didn't help either. Fortunately, after the excellent ballad, "Crossroad," with its duet between Steene and Dutch singer Sofie Emilie Puggaard, Iron Fire opens up the throttle for good and races to the end of the album and the epic, nine minute closer "Phantom Symphony." "Phantom Symphony" is a bit of an experiment for Iron Fire, being their longest song to date. They comport themselves admirably and the song is a fine closer, with faster and slower pieces that flow together well.

Metalmorphosized is actually a collection of demo tracks from 2001-2005, with a few newly written songs, but you'd never know it as the production is excellent. The guitars are crunchy with lots of bottom end but don't drown out the drums or the vocals.

It took me a while to get into Metalmorphosized, an unusual occurrence with an Iron Fire album. They are usually a bit more accessible that this. Still, I'm glad I kept at it, as there is a lot to like here. Songs like "Crossroad," "Drowning in Blood" and "The Underworld" are the types of songs that stick in your head for days. Nothing new, just the type of Power Metal that will bring a smile to your face and have you throwing the horns up in the air.